Phylogeny‐based generic delimitations of the diverse leafhopper tribe Gyponini, including the establishment of a new tribe of Iassinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Gyponini, comprising ca. 1500 valid species restricted to the Americas, is the largest tribe within Iassinae and one of the most diverse lineages of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae). However, approximately 62% of species are included in only six genera, and 27% of genera are monotypic. A comprehensive phylogenetic reassessment of all genera was necessary to better delimit genera and subgenera. Herein, phylogenetic relationships among nearly all genera (82 of 84) and subgenera (114 of 117) of Gyponini were inferred using a dataset comprising 200 terminal taxa, 234 morphological characters, and DNA sequence data from nuclear (28S rDNA D2 and D8 regions, histone H3) and mitochondrial (16S rDNA) markers. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses yielded similar, well‐resolved topologies, with strong support for most clades, including the monophyly of Gyponini, although basal nodes exhibited weaker resolution. Based on phylogenetic results, the following nomenclatural changes are proposed: (1) transfer of Neotropical tribe Hoplojassini from Iassinae to Hylicinae; (2) establishment of Chilenanini trib. nov .; (3) description of four new genera ( Asymmetrana gen. nov ., Paranana gen. nov ., Pseudocostanana gen. nov . and Styletana gen. nov .); (4) erection of new subgenus a of Polana Delong, Lopana subgen. nov .; (5) elevation of nine subgenera to genus level and demotion of two genera to subgenus level; (6) 12 new synonyms at generic and subgeneric levels; (7) updated diagnoses for eight genera; and (8) new combinations for 235 species. This study proposes a revised classification reflecting the phylogeny of Gyponini and provides a foundation for future studies on the evolution of this diverse leafhopper lineage.